June 15, 2011
Canada Post locks out
workers
Following 12 days of rotating
strikes by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), Canada Post has
pulled the plug on mail service across the country.
The post office announced late last night that it was locking out
members of CUPW.
The move has shut down the mail service in almost all areas of the
country. Some small rural post offices, such as Chalk River and
Rolphton, will continue to operate Wednesday only.
In a statement, Canada Post said the accelerating decline in mail
volumes and revenue caused by CUPW's rotating walkouts, “combined with
the inability to deliver mail on a timely and safe basis, has left
Canada Post with no choice but to make this decision.”
“Specifically, we have taken this action for the following reasons:
- Rotating strikes have had a significant impact on short-term revenue.
Canada Post’s losses are approaching $100 million since the rotating
strikes began – and that figure is climbing daily;
- Over the past few days, several incidents have raised concerns about
the ability to move the mail while keeping employees and customers safe;
- Canada Post and CUPW remain far apart on several fundamental issues
and there has been no progress made at the negotiating table for weeks.
“If we allow the uncertainty created by the rotating strikes to
continue, we will not be able to remain financially self-sufficient and
risk becoming a burden on Canadian taxpayers.
“We believe that a lockout is the best way to bring a timely resolution
to this impasse and force the union to seriously consider proposals
that address declining mail volumes and the $3.2-billion pension
deficit.”
Canada Post said it continues to believe that “the best result from
this round of bargaining is a negotiated settlement.”
“The company had hoped to reach an agreement without a disruption in
postal services, which is why the company has made every effort to
protect the pay, pension and job security of existing employees.
“Plans are in place to secure all mail that is left in the system
during the lockout, and to resume normal operations quickly once the
current situation is resolved.”
CUPW said the actions of Canada Post management in locking out postal
workers nation-wide are “irresponsible.”
“There is now a considerable amount of mail in the system that will not
be delivered.
“Canada Post is reneging on its responsibility to the public to deliver
mail that has been paid for. We committed to deliver pension and social
assistance cheques and we intend to fulfil that commitment.”
The union said the post office lockout is “a totally counterproductive
response to the Labour Minister’s request to resume operations.”
“Canada Post is claiming that it has lost $100 million. Their constant
'No' at the bargaining table is costing them dearly. If they want to
stop losing money, they need to negotiate instead of attacking their
workers.”
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